How to Shade a Patio
When the temperatures rise higher during the long, hot summer, the powerful heat can get in the way of spending time on your patio. That's why putting up some shade to block the sun and heat is a good idea. Shading the patio will not only make your outdoor space more comfortable and enjoyable, but it will also protect you and your loved ones from the sun's harmful UV rays. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Shade trees
- Awning or shade sail
- Pergola, arbor, or trellis building supplies and tools
Instructions
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The leafy canopy of a shade tree effectively blocks sunlight. Bring shade to the patio in an environmentally friendly way by using shade trees. The large, leafy canopies provide natural defense from the sun, and the options for what to plant are varied. Check to see what grows best in your growing zone, then choose from a wide variety of oak, maple, beech, sycamore, and elm. And you don't have wait years to grow the trees from seedlings; visit your local plant nursery to purchase a mature tree. The more mature the tree, the more costly it is, but it will provide substantial shade immediately instead of after a decade or so.
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An awning extends off a roof to provide shade. Try an awning or a shade sail. An awning is simply canvas stretched across a frame and extending off the roof of a home, garage or other building; a shade sail is canvas stretched between three anchor points. Awnings and shade sails make quite an eye-catching visual statement in your outdoor space. A benefit of using an awning is that you can have a retractable system installed, which can be neatly rolled up and out of the way when not in use, which is ideal for smaller patios. A benefit of using a shade sail is that it can be set up anywhere you like, since it does not have to be attached to a roof.
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Vines will grow over an arbor, pergola or trellis. Build a shade-providing structure over your patio. Choices of what to construct include arbors, pergolas and trellises. These structures, usually made of wood, consist of large posts set in the ground, with smaller beams and/or latticework between them. You can use just the arbor, pergola, or trellis itself to provide shade, or you can train a fragrant flowering or fruiting vine to grow over the latticework. Grape vines, ivy, honeysuckle, wisteria, jasmine, climbing roses, and trumpet creeper are all good options. But with or without plants, arbors, pergolas, and trellises bring shade and add beauty to your patio.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Sun image by KPICKS from Fotolia.com oak leaf image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com Balcon ombragé par un store. image by Bruno Bernier from Fotolia.com pergola image by titi78430 from Fotolia.com
